COP15 Outcomes discussed with National Park City Executive Director Mark Cridge
This week I met Mark Cridge the Executive Director of the National Park City Foundation to talk about his experience of being part of an ICLEI panel at the COP15 UN Biodiversity summit in Montreal last month. Over 200 countries at COP15 in Montreal have agreed a new deal to tackle the extremes of biodiversity loss up to 2030.
The stakes could not be higher: the planet is experiencing a dangerous decline in nature as a result of human activity. The Global Biodiversity Framework features 23 targets to achieve by 2030, including:
Effective conservation and management of at least 30 per cent of the world’s land, coastal areas and oceans.
Restoration of 30 per cent of terrestrial and marine ecosystems
Reduce to near zero the loss of areas of high biodiversity importance and high ecological integrity
Halving global food waste
Mark’s panel discussion focused on Target 12: 'Increase the area of, access to, and benefits from green and blue spaces, for human health and wellbeing in urban areas and other densely populated areas.
“ThIs is core to the mission of National Park Cities, and it's especially relevant when considering the final section of the agreement;
Section K, Communication, education, awareness and uptake
Enhancing communication, education, and awareness on biodiversity and the uptake of this framework by all actors is essential to achieve its effective implementation and behavioural change, promote sustainable lifestyles and biodiversity values"
COP15: NATIONS ADOPT FOUR GOALS, 23 TARGETS FOR 2030 IN LANDMARK UN BIODIVERSITY AGREEMENT
London became the first National Park City in June 2019, celebrating the wonders of urban nature of which we are all part. Mark joined the Foundation following a seven year stint as Chief Executive of the civic technology charity mySociety, just ahead of the third anniversary of London becoming the first National Park City last July. He joined a wonderful team of dedicated Trustees and advisers, along with an amazing group of 150 volunteer rangers and coordinators who work all across London to make our city healthier, wilder and greener.
